Computerized method and system of assigning an absolute liability value for an accident

• US 7,848,938 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Computer Sciences Corporation (DXC Technology Company)
• Original Assignee: Computer Sciences Corporation (DXC Technology Company)
• Inventors: Wahlbin, Stefan, Johnston, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): Koppikar; Vivek D
• Application Number:
  US09/969,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20020059097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,353 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 4, 707/100
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing vehicle accident information to a computer system are provided. In one embodiment, an accident type of a vehicle accident may be provided to the computer system via a graphical user interface. The computer system may include a memory. The memory may have sets of characteristics regarding one or more past or theoretical accidents. In an embodiment, at least one characteristic in the sets of characteristics may be an accident type. The computer system may display one or more of the accident types in the memory as a graphical image on the graphical user interface. A user may select an accident type of the vehicle accident from the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of estimating liability for a vehicle accident, comprising:

estimating a base liability of a party involved in a vehicle accident using a computer system, wherein the base liability is a portion of the liability of the party for the accident that is independent of factors specific to;

condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident;

estimating an effect of one or more factors specific to;

condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident, on the liability of the party, using the computer system;

determining an estimate of liability of the party using the computer system, wherein the estimate of liability is at least partially based on;

the base liability as modified by one or more of the estimated factors;

or

the base liability as modified by an absolute liability value if one or more criteria are met, wherein the absolute liability value applies regardless of the effect of at least one of the estimated factors.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating the base liability comprises estimating the base liability using a real set of characteristics of the vehicle accident.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the roadway configuration is selected from the group consisting of a two or more lane road, a divided road with a median that can be crossed, a four-way intersection, a T-angle intersection, a merging of one roadway into another, a curve, a parking lot with two-way traffic, a parking lot with one way traffic, a center turn lane, and a two or more lane road divided by a physical barrier.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises an accident type of the vehicle accident.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the accident type is selected from the group consisting of a rear ender, a left turn crossing traffic, a left turn across traffic, a left turn entering traffic, a right turn entering traffic, dual turns to same lane, concurrent left turns, a U-turn, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from right, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from left, a merge from left, a merge from right, concurrent merges to a single lane, a collision with a parked vehicle, a collision while backing, a head on, and a straight cross traffic collision.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises an impact point of a vehicle in the vehicle accident.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the impact point is selected from the group consisting of right front corner, right front fender, right middle, right rear quarter-panel, right rear corner, rear middle, left rear corner, left rear quarter-panel, left middle, left front fender, left front corner, and front middle.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident and a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the roadway configuration is selected from the group consisting of a two or more lane road, a divided road with a median that can be crossed, a four-way intersection, a T-angle intersection, a merging of one roadway into another, a curve, a parking lot with two-way traffic, a parking lot with one way traffic, a center turn lane, and a two or more lane road divided by a physical barrier.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident and an accident type of the vehicle accident.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the accident type is selected from the group consisting of a rear ender, a left turn crossing traffic, a left turn across traffic, a left turn entering traffic, a right turn entering traffic, dual turns to same lane, concurrent left turns, a U-turn, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from right, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from left, a merge from left, a merge from right, concurrent merges to a single lane, a collision with a parked vehicle, a collision while backing, a head on, and a straight cross traffic collision.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident and an impact point of the vehicle in the vehicle accident.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident and an accident type of the vehicle accident.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident and an impact point of a vehicle in the vehicle accident.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises an accident type of the vehicle accident and an impact point of a vehicle in the vehicle accident.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident, a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident, and an accident type of the vehicle accident.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident, a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident, and an impact point of the vehicle in the vehicle accident.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the roadway configuration is selected from the group consisting of a two or more lane road, a divided road with a median that can be crossed, a four-way intersection, a T-angle intersection, a merging of one roadway into another, a curve, a parking lot with two-way traffic, a parking lot with one way traffic, a center turn lane, and a two or more lane road divided by a physical barrier.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident, an accident type of the vehicle accident, and an impact point of the vehicle in the vehicle accident.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the accident type is selected from the group consisting of a rear ender, a left turn crossing traffic, a left turn across traffic, a left turn entering traffic, a right turn entering traffic, dual turns to same lane, concurrent left turns, a U-turn, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from right, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from left, a merge from left, a merge from right, concurrent merges to a single lane, a collision with a parked vehicle, a collision while backing, a head on, and a straight cross traffic collision.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident, an accident type of the vehicle accident, and an impact point of a vehicle in the vehicle accident.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the roadway configuration is selected from the group consisting of a two or more lane road, a divided road with a median that can be crossed, a four-way intersection, a T-angle intersection, a merging of one roadway into another, a curve, a parking lot with two-way traffic, a parking lot with one way traffic, a center turn lane, and a two or more lane road divided by a physical barrier.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the accident type is selected from the group consisting of a rear ender, a left turn crossing traffic, a left turn across traffic, a left turn entering traffic, a right turn entering traffic, dual turns to same lane, concurrent left turns, a U-turn, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from right, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from left, a merge from left, a merge from right, concurrent merges to a single lane, a collision with a parked vehicle, a collision while backing, a head on, and a straight cross traffic collision.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the impact point is selected from the group consisting of right front corner, right front fender, right middle, right rear quarter-panel, right rear corner, rear middle, left rear corner, left rear quarter-panel, left middle, left front fender, left front corner, and front middle.

27. The method of claim 2, wherein the real set of characteristics comprises a right of way for a vehicle in the vehicle accident, a roadway configuration at a location of the vehicle accident, an accident type of the vehicle accident, and an impact point of the vehicle in the vehicle accident.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the roadway configuration is selected from the group consisting of a two or more lane road, a divided road with a median that can be crossed, a four-way intersection, a T-angle intersection, a merging of one roadway into another, a curve, a parking lot with two-way traffic, a parking lot with one way traffic, a center turn lane, and a two or more lane road divided by a physical barrier.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the accident type is selected from the group consisting of a rear ender, a left turn crossing traffic, a left turn across traffic, a left turn entering traffic, a right turn entering traffic, dual turns to same lane, concurrent left turns, a U-turn, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from right, a parked vehicle merging into traffic from left, a merge from left, a merge from right, concurrent merges to a single lane, a collision with a parked vehicle, a collision while backing, a head on, and a straight cross traffic collision.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more factors are selected from the group consisting of a construction zone, an obstructed view or glare, a road condition, a road character, a road defect, a defective traffic control, visibility, alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, driver inattention, corrective lenses, driver inexperience, driver fatigue, driver illness, following too closely, headlights off, speed, a sudden stop or swerve, taillights or brakelights off, unsafe backing, failure to take evasive action, high beams, an improper lane change, improper parking, and improper signaling.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the one or more factors with a situational weight.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising estimating a situational weight from circumstances of the vehicle accident, wherein the situational weight is represented as a percent weight, and adjusting one or more of the factors by multiplying the one or more factors by the percent weight.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising estimating a situational weight from knowledge obtained from experienced claims adjusters, and adjusting the one or more factors with the situational weight.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the one or more factors with a ranking factor.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a sum of the one or more factors with a factor influence.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimate of liability is a range, and wherein the range is estimated by a range radius.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimate of liability is a range, wherein the range is estimated by a range radius, and wherein the range radius is adjusted by a snap-to radius.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the absolute liability value of the party is zero percent if the one or more criteria are met.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a sudden illness of the party, a defect in the party'"'"'s vehicle, or a reasonable action by the party in response to a person or an object on the road or a defect in the road.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the absolute liability value of the party is 100 percent if the one or more criteria are met.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a citation for impairment on the party or an indication of impairment of the party.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein the absolute liability value of the party is greater than zero percent and less than 100 percent if the one or more criteria are met.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more criteria are met if the effect of one or more of the factors exceeds a user specified value.

46. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning an absolute liability, wherein the assignment of absolute liability absolves the party of liability for the accident but does not shift liability to another party.

47. The method of claim 1, further comprising estimating a lower bound of liability of the party and an upper bound of liability of the party, wherein the absolute liability value adjusts the liability beyond the lower bound and upper bounds defined for the liability.

38. A system for estimating liability for a vehicle accident, comprising:

a CPU; and

a memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement;

estimating a base liability of a party involved in a vehicle accident, wherein the base liability is a portion of the liability of the party for the accident that is independent of factors specific to condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident;

estimating an effect of one or more factors specific to;

condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident, on the base liability;

determining an estimate of liability of the party , wherein the estimate of liability is at least partially based on;

the base liability as modified by the one or more of the estimated factors;

or

the base liability as modified by an absolute liability value if one or more criteria are met, wherein the absolute liability value applies regardless of the effect of at least one of the estimated factors.

39. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

estimating a base liability of a party involved in a vehicle accident using a computer system, wherein the base liability is a portion of the liability of the party for the accident that is independent of factors specific to condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident;

estimating an effect of one or more factors specific to;

condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident, on the base liability, using the computer system;

determining an estimate of liability of the party using the computer system, wherein the estimate of liability is at least partially based on;

the base liability as modified by one or more of the estimated factors;

or the base liability as modified by an absolute liability value if one or more criteria are met, wherein the absolute liability value applies regardless of the effect of at least one of the estimated factors.